How to add new language on OpenCart

In this article we will tell you how to add the new localized version of the site to OpenCart. So, for example, we will add the Ukrainian language to OpenCart.

Installation of a new localization

You need to download and install the localization on the site, ie files that contain translations of all phrases used in the CMS. For example, the Ukrainian localization for OpenCart 4.0 can be downloaded absolutely free of charge on our website. For other versions you will also find translations without any problems. You can usually find instructions for installing it on the localization page or in the downloaded archive. We will give an example of how to add the Ukrainian language to the system:

1. Log in to the Administrative Panel of your site and go to System> Localization> Languages and press the "+" button on this page to add a new language.
2. Enter the following data and save the form:
• Title: Ukrainian
• Code: uk-ua
• Locale code: uk,ua,uk_UA,ukrainian
• Status: On
• Sort order: 1
3. To set the default Ukrainian language, go to System> Settings> Edit.
4. In the "Localisation" tab, select "Ukrainian" in the fields: "Language" and "Administrator language".

After that, a switch between languages ​​should be added to the header on the outside of the site. But it happens that when switching, not all parts of the site are translated, instead they are displayed in English. This happens if you have installed third-party modules that do not have Ukrainian localization, in which case you need to contact the author of the module for support or order a translation from us.

All content in products, categories, manufacturers, pages, blog will need to be translated manually or use modules to automatically translate the content of pages in the mode

Select extention for multilingual links with language prefixes

One of the most popular modules for the clear URL shaping is the SEO Pro module, it is free. If your site is built on the ocStore build - SEO Pro is already included in this build. If you have OpenCart - no problem to find and install SEO Pro. But the problem is that this module does not allow you to make multilingual links with language prefixes. This problem is solved by the Multilingual add-on for SEO Pro OpenCart, its cost is negligible, but with its help you will get a URL with language prefixes, such as:

• https://opencartbot.com/
  
• https://opencartbot.com/en/
• https://opencartbot.com/ru/

And also with the help of this add-on you will get a link hreflang, which is not visible to the average user, but it is absolutely necessary for the normal detection of localized versions of pages by search bots. Instructions for installing and configuring this add-on can be found on its page, in fact everything is very simple.

Correct sitemap with support for multilingual URLs

If you want everything on your OpenCart site to be according to Feng Shui - you need to make the site map also multilingual, according to Google's recommendations. The Multilingual Sitemap XML module will help you with this - its wide possibilities will help you to make such a sitemap that will appeal to you and search engines. The module allows you to add hreflang links to the map, as well as manage link settings, divide the map into parts and more.

If you do not have time to add the new language to OpenCart - you can order a comprehensive service "Setting up a multilingual site on OpenCart 3"